Across China, the Itch to Spend Is Strong

June 11, 2013 1:30 p.m. ET

BEIJING—As leaders in Beijing remain cautious about stimulating China's economy out of a slowdown, local governments are taking no chances, pushing ambitious spending projects that add to concerns about wasteful capital investment and rising debts.

It isn't clear how many of these undertakings—which include everything from highways to subways—will end up with funding. But the push illustrates Beijing's challenge as it attempts to...